Ultra Performance? Yes!

By Dave Tindall Last updated: 4th May 2010

There are several factors that go into making a top-class golf shoe and once again Danish shoemaker ECCO has ticked all the boxes with their revamped Ultra Performance design.

I road-tested the Ultra Performance Hydromax (bottom left in above photo) at Hollins Hall GC in West Yorkshire earlier this week and can honestly say it's the best golf shoe I've ever worn.

When you take them out of the box, looks are obviously the first thing you rate them on and I'm a big fan of the sporty design - sleek black with a gold sole and also four subtle gold dots on the side.

Next, you slip them on and stride about and again they immediately felt comfortable. In fact, make that super-comfortable. I wear size 10 trainers/work shoes and found that European size 43 were the perfect fit.

As with any new footwear, there's always that feeling that you need to wear them in a bit. But not with these. I came off at the end of the round and it felt as if I'd been wearing a trusty pair of shoes that had been moulded to my foot after years of use.

Hollins Hall has some steep climbs and descents but the Ultra Performance Hydromax - part of Ecco's Spring/Summer 2010 Men's Golf Collection - didn't dig in or press at any point.

And during the swing - I lashed driver off every par four and five - they really gave me solid support and balance.

One nice added extra is that they come with a nice carrybag. For ages, I've chucked my shoes in a Tesco's bag which has spilled grass into the boot of my car. But this time I popped them in the bag, pulled the drawstring and avoided the double whammy of extension leads and Henry the hoover.

Marks out of 10? Well, I guess only a full 10 would be given after say six months when you've seen how durable they are. But, for now, I'm happy to flash up a card with a 9 on it.

For those that like a more technical review, here's what ECCO say themselves.....

At the forefront of the 2010 ECCO Men's Golf Collection, the new Ultra Performance is a striking looking golf shoe that has been re-styled to meet the latest fashion trends, whilst continuing to showcases a standard of excellence and technical sophistication that is unique to ECCO. Sure to make a statement at any golf course, this athletic and fashionable golf shoe is available in White/Silver/Black and a luxurious, embossed leather Black/Gold model.

Showcasing golf's most advanced outsole design; Ultra Performance enhances traction, reduces weight and ensures flexibility. A myriad of performance features include a patent-pending direct-injected stability system, one-piece construction and advanced outsole design. These are, in turn built around an anatomical last which guarantees unmatched torsional support, comfort and power through all phases of the swing.

"With each collection, we continue to redefine the golf footwear experience," says Michael Waack, Head of Global Golf at ECCO. "Our development and production process is completely unique, as it starts from designs built around the human foot. Comfort, performance and a complete commitment to quality are the driving forces, but style is also key."

"Our desire with Ultra Performance was to create a shoe that screamed out performance, but in addition to that we wanted to find a way for the shoe to actually improve the golf swing," he added".

Ultra Performance will be worn on Tour in 2010 by Aaron Baddeley, Bradley Dredge, John Bickerton and Thongchai Jaidee. ECCO men's golf shoes are also worn in competition by some of the biggest names in golf including; Fred Couples, Colin Montgomerie, Stuart Appleby, Thomas Bjorn,& Arjun Atwal.

The new Ultra Performance has a suggested retail price of £150.